BETHESDA, MD -- The Auto International Association (AIA) Seminar Series at AAPEX will feature two valuable sessions for the import aftermarket community. New this year is "Selling Parts for Imports: Did You Ever Consider Listening to Your Customer? The Installer's View," set for Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the Sands Expo Center, rooms 303-304. The AIA segment of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) has planned the session to address the needs of companies seeking information on how to sell parts in the import segment of the aftermarket.

Two premier import specialist installers - Chris Coulter from Curry's Automotive in Sterling, VA, and Mike Aronow of Sunset Auto Import Service in Las Vegas, NV, - will detail specifically what they want and need from their auto parts suppliers. Bill Guinard of Olympus Auto Parts, will represent the selling side of the industry and former AIA chairman Marty Gold from S-G Imported Car Parts, will be the moderator.

Relevant and timely questions to be addressed will include: "How conscious are you of the brand of parts you install on your customer's car?"; and "how can your parts supplier help you to compete with expanding dealer service networks?"

Back by popular demand for its fifth year is "Selling to the U.S. Aftermarket: Getting it Right." This seminar, scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 3 in the Sands Expo Center, rooms 303-304, is deemed a "high-priority" for international parts suppliers, especially those wishing to begin or expand sales to the U.S. aftermarket. Presented by renowned industry expert Henry Allessio of Walden Consultants, the session will share valuable strategic advice as it outlines the opportunities in a complex and changing aftermarket roadmap. There will be discussions of market obstacles and how to understand them.

Both breakfast seminars are free, but reservations are required. To locate the international seminars and registration, visit aapexshow.com and click on "Attendee" and the "Seminar & Events Schedule" links. For more information, contact AAIA's Lee Kadrich at 301-654-6664 or e-mail lee.kadrich@aftermarket.org.

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